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Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) released the traffic results for Abu Dhabi International Airport during the third quarter of 2011 revealing a 15% increase in passenger traffic compared with the same period in 2010. 3.3 million passengers passed through the capital’s airport during the period July to September surpassing for the first time the 1 million milestone for three consecutive months. The report also indicated a total of 1,086,348 passengers passing through the airport in September, a double digit increase of 17.1% compared to the same month last year.
The increase in last quarter’s passenger traffic was mainly driven by Eid and summer holidays, Omra, the inauguration of new airlines and the frequency increases and new destinations introduced by most of the carriers at Abu Dhabi International Airport, mainly Etihad Airways.
Cargo volumes presented a parallel growth to that of passenger traffic with a recorded 10.8% increase in the month of September alone, and a further 7% increase over the July- September 2011 period, compared with same periods last year. The recorded increases are a result of the healthy economic growth witnessed in Abu Dhabi along with the increased cargo activity by Etihad Airways.
Commenting on this, Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), said: “The passenger activity increases at Abu Dhabi international Airport are certainly a positive economic indicator for the UAE and the region. It is especially encouraging that we are seeing sustained growth throughout the year. We are thrilled with the positive passenger activity results of the third quarter of this year and it is clear that both business and leisure travelers are choosing Abu Dhabi International more and more as their portal to the world.”
The comprehensive report produced by ADAC included the overall performance of Abu Dhabi international Airport throughout 2011, showing a 13% increase in passenger traffic in the past 9 months compared with the same period last year and registering more than nine million passengers passing through its facilities.
Top five routes in the third quarter of 2011 include London, Bangkok, Doha, Jeddah, and Manila.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
